A tragic accident occurred at a mineral extraction site operated by Calliane Mines Ltd in Nyarugenge District, Kigali City, on Thursday, November 5. Seven miners lost their lives when water flooded underground tunnels at the site, located in Mageragere Sector near the Nyabarongo River. According to worker accounts, water suddenly entered the tunnels at around 4:00 p.m., catching miners underground. Some managed to escape, while seven failed to make it out.
The mining site had approximately 200 people present when the incident occurred. The bodies of the seven victims were later retrieved through an operation involving local authorities and security agencies. Nyarugenge District officials visited the site on Friday and informed residents that all seven bodies had been recovered. Arrangements were being made for the burial of the victims.
The cause of the flooding had not been officially established by Friday. However, miners suspected that excavation activities may have breached an underground water source connected to the nearby Nyabarongo River. There were also suspicions that the water may have come into contact with electrical installations at the mine, although this had not been independently confirmed.
Calliane Mines Ltd is a Rwanda-based mining company operating a 400-hectare concession in Nyarugenge District, specifically in the Runzenze area of Mageragere Sector. The concession has two active mining sites. The company extracts three minerals commonly referred to as 3T minerals: cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), and coltan (columbite-tantalite).
The company's owner, Rubazinda Callixte, has reportedly been held at Mageragere Prison for some time. Further details about his detention were not immediately available. Authorities had not provided further details about the circumstances of the accident or whether an investigation had been opened.
The incident has raised concerns about safety measures at mining sites in Rwanda. The government and mining companies have been working to improve safety standards, but accidents still occur. The incident at Calliane Mines Ltd is a reminder of the risks faced by miners in the country.
The government and relevant agencies will likely conduct an investigation into the incident to determine the cause of the flooding and identify measures to prevent similar accidents in the future. The mining sector is a significant contributor to Rwanda's economy, and ensuring the safety of miners is crucial to the sector's sustainability.
Key points
- Seven miners died in a flooded wolframite mine in Kigali, Rwanda, on November 5, 2026.
- The cause of the flooding had not been officially established, but miners suspected excavation activities may have breached an underground water source.
- Calliane Mines Ltd operates a 400-hectare concession in Nyarugenge District, extracting 3T minerals including wolframite.
